Triumph Repair: Triumph Spitfire Vacuum retard, vacuum line, vacuum leak

Question
Howard, I scanned through about 8 pages of questions and answers, but couldn't really find anything that directly addressed my question. I have a '79 California Spec Spitfire 1500. Everything is pretty much stock. Last night, I had the car in my shop to investigate a rough idle issue. While plundering around under the bonnet, I inadvertantly knocked the vacuum line off of the vacuum retard unit. The idle actually smoothed out substantially. I replaced the vacuum line before driving to work today, but was wondering if I might damage anything if I were to disconnect the retard unit and try taking her for a drive?

Thanks in adavance

Answer
Hi William,
You need to determine if the open vacuum line made the smooth idle or the change in ignition timing. So all you need to do is to remove the vacuum line and plug it to see if the idle smoothes out. If it does smooth out you can leave it plugged and not harm anything. But if you must leave the vacuum line open to get the good idle you need to look at fuel mixture and not leave an open vacuum line as a vacuum leak can do engine damage.
Howard